Pick up maps now at locations around the region!
Maps are currently being distributed at hundreds of locations around the region, or find one at Center for the Arts at the New London Inn, the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce Office, or the Library Arts Center in Newport.
Interactive Map Website
Launching Soon!
Discover all the region has to offer, including:
Dining * Accommodations * Recreation * Attractions * and so much more!
Find out more about the phases of the project and more below.
Sunapee Region Arts Atlas
Where Community + Culture Meet
An initiative of the Arts & Business Alliance
What is the Arts Atlas?
The Sunapee Region Arts Atlas is an illuminating guide to the abundance of exceptional arts and cultural assets that are interconnected throughout the greater Lake Sunapee region.
These institutions are part of the very core of what makes the region an exceptional place to call home and to visit. The map entices both residents and visitors alike to explore the region, and is an engaging resource for municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, and real estate agents to showcase the many cultural hidden gems that contribute to quality of life–making the region a great place to live, work and play. Equally, it is a powerful tool for tourism, drawing visitors to the region.
The Arts Atlas is a core project of the Arts & Business Alliance–a coalition of area arts organizations, businesses and community leaders that focuses on creating arts and business partnerships to boost the local economy. The project is funded through a combination of grants, individual donations, and contributions from area businesses and non-profits. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who contributed to the Arts Atlas, the project is fully funded through 2024.
The project consists of two main components:
Phase One
Artful Illustrated Map
The core of the project is an artful, hand-illustrated, paper map brochure that is a widely distributed, free public resource.
The Arts & Culture Assets on the map include:
- Art Galleries & Museums, and other Arts Venues
- Historic Sites
- Public Art
- Arts Centers
- Arts Education Venues & Studios
- Music, Concert & Performance Venues
- Theaters and Theatrical Venues
- Dance Companies
- Arts or craft-related Businesses & Retail Shops
- Prominent Annual Events, Fairs, & Festivals related to Arts & Culture
- Historical Societies
- Libraries
What distinguishes this resource from many other regional or tourism maps is that it does not feature, and is not driven by ads–the destinations themselves are amplified, and pop off the page. Artist Dana Saulnier of Springfield, NH was selected by the committee to illustrate the Arts Atlas. The maps were printed locally at RC Brayshaw in Warner, NH and have now been widely distributed throughout the Lake Sunapee Region.
Phase Two
Interactive Digital Map-Launching soon.
So much of the core value of the project is held in the corresponding, comprehensive interactive website & digital map. The coming site will highlight arts and cultural assets in further detail and with added layers.
Extended information on the interactive map will include:
- Restaurants and eateries
- Accommodations including hotels, inns, B&Bs, vacation rentals
- Locally owned shops & businesses
- Trails & Recreation
- Natural Resources
- Other Attractions
- Artist Directory
- Arts & Culture Event Calendar
The site will boast an extensive directory of related businesses and attractions alongside the cultural assets–inviting both residents and visitors to explore and fully experience what the region has to offer.
Why the Arts Atlas?
The project aims to highlight valuable arts and cultural assets within the region to:
Define a sense of place—pointing to what makes the region an ideal place to call home or to visit.
The Arts make this region come alive! Through ample opportunities to engage in arts experiences such as exhibits, performances, concerts, literary series, arts education and so much more, our arts and cultural institutions bring richness to the quality of life here. This point is amplified when the collection of assets are viewed through the Atlas.
Promote greater community and economic development, as well as civic pride
Our communities thrive through opportunities to engage through the arts, and the arts help to cultivate community. We connect with our neighbors, our lives are richer, and our businesses thrive when the arts sector is vibrant. The Arts Atlas is a powerful tool to communicate this cultural and community vibrancy.
Develop centralized marketing to promote the Arts & Cultural Assets in the region.
Many of the cultural assets in the region have been under-represented state-wide. A collective approach to marketing will enhance efforts for all of those represented.
Create an engaging tourism tool to draw visitors to explore the region
The region has a tremendous number of recreational draws, but what is lesser known is that numerous arts opportunities also abound. The Arts Atlas will entice visitors to visit cultural destinations, galleries, restaurants and shopping, and will provide ample reasons to stay for the day, overnight, or the week!
My “Why”
My “Why”
The Sunapee Region is filled with creative individuals and arts organizations who each add to our quality of life. The Arts Atlas will be a vehicle to identify these creative assets in our midst, so that residents and visitors alike can explore the rich history and culture we offer.
Our communities are also fortunate to have businesses which understand the value of the arts. These Inns, stores, restaurants, and specialty businesses are essential resources for those same people who are drawn here to attend a play, an art show, a museum, or a concert, as well as to enjoy the beautiful surroundings in which we live.
It is our hope that the Sunapee Region Arts Atlas will not only showcase the many arts and culture entities in our region, but boost the local economy through purchases made by those who are attending events for an evening or those who decide to call our region their home for a lifetime.
What a wonderful way to show others who we really are!
My “Why”
For decades, we have been looking at the larger, already defined regions on our borders and trying to fit into those regions. We have never quite fit in those regions as they have their own, unique and important collective creative voices that represent their regions. When we stop trying to look toward these other regions and turn toward each other and what we have, we see that we have a lot in common. Arts in the Lake Sunapee Region are defined by connecting community through the arts. The Atlas will connect and give a collective platform to all these incredible arts assets in a way that will define this region both for residents, and visitors. This is so exciting to me–both professionally as Director of the Library Arts Center, and personally as a lifelong resident of this region.
My “Why”
My “Why”
When I think about why living here is so great, it’s all about the Arts. Seeing an exceptional show at the New London Barn Playhouse, visiting the sculpture garden at the Fells, finding outstanding handmade craft at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fair at Mount Sunapee… the Arts come alive through these experiences. I can think of nothing more that would attract both visitors and new residents to this region than seeing the wealth of arts and cultural assets that abound here. The Arts Atlas will bring so much value in attracting people to the region, and encourage our residents to explore their own backyard through a whole new creative lens.
Have an asset to share with us?
Do you know of a cultural asset that we should be sure to include on our website? What about extended services like restaurants, accommodations, trails or attractions? Please use this form to share with us!
Thank you!
The ABA is developing the Sunapee Region Arts Atlas to define the region, with a geographic epicenter of Lake Sunapee, and spans out 15 to 20 miles with soft borders.
FAQs
What is the map's coverage area?
The Arts & Business Alliance is connecting and developing the Sunapee Region Arts Atlas to define the region, with a geographic epicenter of Lake Sunapee, and spans out 15 to 20 miles with soft borders. (See the illustration above).
Arts & Culture Assets from the following communities are included:
Andover, Bradford, Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, Croydon, Danbury, Franklin, Goshen, Grantham, Langdon, Lempster, New London, Newbury, Newport, Plainfield, Salisbury, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Unity, Warner, Washington, Webster, and Wilmot
Click HERE to see a list of featured assets on the paper map.
When will we get to see the map?!
Map brochures are now available! Maps are currently being distributed to hundreds of locations around the region, and the launch of the corresponding interactive website is scheduled for late Fall/early winter of this year.
If you would like to feature Arts Atlas maps at your location, please send us an email at artsandbusinessalliancenh@gmail.com.
What kinds of assets are included on the map?
The Arts & Culture Assets on the map include:
- Art Galleries & Museums, and other Arts Venues
- Historical Societies and Historical Landmarks
- Libraries
- Public Art
- Arts Centers
- Arts Education Venues & Studios
- Music, Concert & Performance Venues
- Theaters and Theatrical Venues
- Dance Companies
- Arts or craft-related Businesses & Retail Shops
- Prominent Annual Events, Fairs, & Festivals related to Arts & Culture
Click HERE to see the list of Arts & Culture assets featured on the paper map.
Extended information on the interactive map will include:
- Local restaurants and eateries
- Accommodations including hotels, inns, B&Bs, vacation rentals through Air BNB, VRBO and more
- Locally owned shops & businesses
- Trails & Recreation
- Natural Resources
- Other area attractions
Who is creating the map?
The project is an initiative of the Arts & Business Alliance of the greater Lake Sunapee Region, and project leadership is being provided by the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce, Center for the Arts–Lake Sunapee Region and the Library Arts Center.
The paper map and brochure is being illustrated by local artist Dana Saulnier of Springfield, NH, and maps are being printed locally at RC Brayshaw in Bradford. The group is working with Maine-based Center for Community GIS (CCGIS) for creation of the interactive digital map and website.
How is the project funded?
The Arts & Business Alliance of the greater Lake Sunapee Region helped to spearhead this project through the shared leadership of the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce, Center for the Arts–Lake Sunapee Region and the Library Arts Center. It was created by the Alliance and these non-profits to be a public resource and to benefit both the non-profits and local businesses that constitute the local creative economy.
Funding for the project is provided through a variety of sources, primarily through grants, individual donations, contributions from area non-profits and area businesses, as well as a crowd-funding campaign in partnership with Vital Communities and the Local Crowd.
How can I get involved in this exciting project, or with the Arts & Business Alliance?
We’re glad you asked! Please fill out the contact form on this page to connect with us.
I would love to offer input on assets to include on the map. How can I do that?
Are there any other arts & culture organizations, non-profits, or venues you can think of that we should be sure to include on the list?? What about related nearby attractions like hiking trails, great restaurants, shops not to miss? Gathering information about the assets in all of the towns represented is crucial to the success of the project. We appreciate your insights. Please fill out the form here to share your input with us.
I am an area artist or musician. How can I be included in your artist directory?
We would love to make sure that as many area artists and musicians are listed as possible. Please fill out this form to share your info, your website, and an image of your work.
Thank You to the Arts Atlas Partners & Investors
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
CORE PARTNERS + FUNDERS
CHAMPIONS
VAHAN
SARKISIAN
INVESTORS
JANET
MILLER
HAINES
COLLABORATORS
Virginia & Peter Irwin
Luann & John Justak
Sheryl’s Sunapee Guest House
Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty
Spring Ledge Farm
Sweet Beginnings Daycare
Judy Thackaberry & S.K.I.T.
SUPPORTERS
Anonymous
Cathy & Bob Cassato
Suzanne Connary
Jean & Jim Connolly
Fran & Bryan Huot
Gerry & Harold LaValley
Kate & Jim Luppold
Caitlin Mauser Rowe & Buddy Rowe
Milestone Realty
Kathryn & Ted Niboli
Penelope & William Obenshain
Jennifer Risley
Mary & Lawrence Schissel
Deborah Stone
Ann & Greg Stout
Barbara Sullivan
Summer Music Associates
Sandy & Roger Wells
FRIENDS
Cathryn & Paul Baird
Meg & Ken Cowan
Dance Arts Academy
Michael Kiess & Erica Hoffman-Kiess
Nancy LaRowe
Brendan Minnihan
NH Telephone Museum
Jean Spaulding & Bob Kjellman